Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“Owen, this is good for me. I can mold young hockey minds.”
“You’re gonna be their babysitter, making sure they don’t get drunk or get anyone pregnant.”
I laugh. “Probably, but it’ll be fun. Plus, Mom will be happy ’cause Benny will be taken care of.”
Benson Jeannot has been living with us since last Christmas as my mom’s newest billet kid, though he lives on campus during the school year. Ever since all us kids have moved out, she has been taking in billet kids left and right. Benny, though, Mom loves him and won’t let him leave. Mostly because he doesn’t have anywhere to go. His family kind of disowned him when he decided to play hockey in America and not for the Canadian league like his whole family had. He’s a good kid, real smart, and is adored by my mom. We joke she’s replaced us with him. We know it’s not true, but it’s funny to tease her.
“I guess. But still, I feel like you need more. I mean, you are a pro player.”
“Was,” I correct, and he sighs once more.
“You can come back. You know you can.”
I don’t know. “I promise, I’m good with this.”
“But gymnastics? Come on, Ev, you don’t know shit about gymnastics.” Before I can answer, he continues, “Then again, hot girls in bathing suits could be fun.”
I roll my eyes. My brother is a ladies’ man. Well, he was until Angie came along. “It’s called a leotard, and I will be professional.”
“That’s boring,” he teases. “This is your chance to sleep your way through the roster.”
I snort. “Yes, because I do that.”
He scoffs. “You should. It’d be so easy.”
“Says the guy who is in a very committed relationship.”
“Hey, I sowed my oats.”
He did, but not in the way he portrays. He had fun, but he has always wanted to be in a relationship. When you see your parents so in love, it’s hard not to want the same thing. For me, I want more than sex. I want the support and love I see my parents give each other. “Maybe, but I’m going to learn a lot more with the gymnastics team. Apparently they’re really good. I was told to have a lot of tape on hand at all times. Lots of busted ankles.”
“Wow, that sounds like fun,” he says dryly. “I don’t know… I miss you. I want more for you.”
“I know, but this is going to be good. I’m pumped for the distraction, and maybe it’ll be fun to live out my last year as a young adult,” I say, not only for him, but for myself. It’s hard walking away from all I know. I’m completely changing up the game, and while the fear of the unknown weighs on me, I have to stay positive. If not, I’ll fall back into my depressive state, and I can’t do that. I’ve worked hard these last several months to dig myself out, and I’ve got to keep pushing.
“Without me,” Owen grumbles.
“Shut it. I’m a phone call away.”
“I know, but it sucks,” he admits. “I miss you.”
“I know. Same, O. Same.” Emotionally driven silence stretches between us, and I need to break it. “Have you two decided on a date?”
He laughs. “No, not yet. We’re not rushing, but I did tell Mom I want to have a bigger and better wedding to piss Shelli off.”
I chuckle loudly. My sister’s wedding was a circus, and I don’t care that she gets mad when we say that. It was. Being a Broadway singer, my sister decided to sing to her husband with practically an entire orchestra during the vows, with doves and butterflies and a whole lot of over-the-top shit. She’s currently pregnant, and I don’t even know what to expect with her having a child. He’ll probably be brought home by a real live stork. “You’re an ass.”
“Dude, come on. She’s so bougie and outdoes us all.”
I laugh. “It’s not a competition, Owen. She’s our sister.”
“I know, but still. I want to one-up her.”
“I’m sure Angie is on board,” I joke, and he laughs.
“Not at all, but I can bribe her with plants.”
“Smart man,” I say as I turn onto my mom’s street. “All right, I need to pack, and I’m about to pull in to the house.”
“All right, text me.”
“I will. Oh, are you coming down to see the baby?”
“I think so. When is our newest nephew coming?”
“I think in the next week.”
“Wow. Do we have a name yet?”
“Not yet. I think they’re going to wait until he’s born and then announce it in the clouds by jet.”
We share a laugh. “Or take out a billboard.”
“Or a TV ad.” More laughter, and man, I miss this dude.
“Probably all the above,” he chuckles, and he’s probably right. “But yeah, Angie is trying to get time off. She’s planning an autism awareness hockey day with Merryweather, so she’s trying to find the best weekend to leave.”